Take Time to Encourage

Recently, I watched a documentary about Johnny Carson. It was hard to believe that such a successful person received little encouragement from his mother. Arguably his comedic timing was unparalleled. Most every successful comedian today owes their start to Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show. However, this man never heard an encouraging word from his mother.

As the documentary unfolded, the story was told how Johnny's mother once watched his monologue. At the end, she arose from her seat and was heard to say "that want funny" as she left the room. It is beyond me how a parent could be so callous toward a child.

The story grew sadder when it was discovered at new death that Carson's mother had a box containing EVERY newspaper article in which Johnny had been mentioned. It was the complete path of his career. How could she have kept the pride in her son a secret? How could she not verbalize it even once? Apparently starved for the affection of his mother, Johnny kept the box of clippings in his closet until his death.

The Bible says that "the power of life and death are in the tongue." There are plenty of negative things being said. Take time to say something positive. Take time to tell your kids you are proud of them. Take time to tell your spouse they are important in your life. Make a difference. Take time to encourage.

Hope For The Future

 

Recently as my mind was wandering, I came face to face with my mortality. I realized that I am a short 11 years away from turning 60. Now I am not saying that 60 is old; but when we think of impacting the world, most people impact the world at a younger age. However, the loving Father that He is, God reminded me of how just in the past few years my life has changed, my influence has grown far beyond what I could ever have imagined.

See, since 2009 I have had the opportunity to: teach at a Bible school in Mexico twice; pray with and encourage pastors in Mexico; pour into and pray with pastors in Kenya; see hundreds come to Jesus in evangelistic out reaches in Kenya; build a school in one of the poorest towns in Kenya.

For some reason, it is easy to forget things we have accomplished for the Kingdom. I suppose it is because our focus is on Him and not on our glory. As it should be. But God wasn't through with me. About two hours later, He brought a single sentence out of a devotional I read. It said,

I give you hope--hope that the best part of, your life is not behind you.

A slap in the face! I get it, God. We are not through until YOU say we are through. While the world may say my best days are behind, YOU say my best days are ahead. YOU say there is Hope For The Future!

 

Trusting in the Negative

 I am currently reading @MarkBatterson 's book The Circle Maker. Even having not finished it, I heartily recommend it.  

Tonight I read the following line:  If you can trust God when the answer is no, you're likely to give Him praise when the answer is yes.

That is a powerful statement.  But it is often hard to practice.  We approach God expecting Him to answer in the affirmative.  Before you start yelling, I understand faith. I teach on it frequently.  But there are times when we misunderstand what God desires to do in our lives.  It is then, when God has plainly said "NO!", that we must trust that He knows best.

And why would we not trust Him? The One Who created the universe. The One Who spoke and atoms formed, molecules coalesced, the electro-magnetic spectrum sprang into existence.  The One Who sent His Son to die for humanity.  Why should not we trust Him? 

But when our prayers go unanswered, at least in our thinking, our trust becomes shaken.  But it is then we must press in.  It is then we must listen for that still small voice.  For negatively answered prayers are the real indication of our Father's love for us.  If we always got our way, we would be most ungrateful.  But having heard our Father say "NO!", when He says "YES!", we are truly grateful.

So relax and REALLY trust God.  Listen for the "NO!"  For it brings forth the fruit of gracefulness in our lives.

What Are You Giving?

And a lame man from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Acts 3:2 ESV

In Acts 3:1-10, we find the story of the lame man sitting at the Beautiful Gate.  This was the gate that was the entrance to the Temple. It separated the Court of the Gentiles from the Temple proper.  If you were on your way to the Temple to worship, you passed through this area.  

It was here that this man sat for years. He was 40 when he experienced the healing power of God (Acts 4:22).  Since a boy entered manhood around 12 or 13, this man probably had been sitting at the gate for 27 years. Think of it...twenty-seven years of begging for enough money to buy something for each day.  Every day he was there. In the rain, sunshine, heat and cold.  Watching the people move about. Hoping they would take pity on him as they made their way into the Temple to worship.

He sat and watched as the priests entered the Temple to serve.  He watched the scribes on their way to the Court of Israel.  He watched as the Pharisees pompously walked past him, probably on the other side for fear he was unclean.  He watched as the religious entered to worship, some giving to him and others ignoring him. None bringing him what he truly needed or desired--healing.

What about us? What are we doing with knowledge with have.  What are we doing with our relationship with Jesus?  Are we so focused on "going to the temple" that we ignore those in need around us? Do we give out "token" bits knowledge or even money when they need something much more?

Purpose today to NOT be like the religious who passed this man by.  Purpose today to be like Peter and John:  "what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus..."  They didn't give him a temporary fix. They gave him Jesus.

A Season to Sit

      But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.                                                                  

    Luke 10:41, 42 ESV

 
Often we accuse Martha because she was in the kitchen and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus.  But before we place the blame we must inventory our own lives.
 
Martha was excited to be preparing for the Lord.  After all, she had invited Him to their home (Luke 10:38).  But when her sister, Mary, decides to sit in the presence of Jesus, Martha’s self-absorption shines through.  She complains to Jesus about Mary’s lack of service.  Then Jesus kindly speaks to Martha the words listed above.
 
To be sure, there are times when we MUST be serving.  In fact, serving  should be a MAJOR part of our life.  However, there are seasons when we MUST sit at the feet of our Lord; when we must FOCUS and LISTEN to what He is saying to us.  
 
Beginning Wednesday, January 18, we will once again enter 40 Days of Fire.  This time of prayer and fasting is our chance to be Mary—to sit at the feet of Jesus and LISTEN to Him.  A chance to quiet our spirits and seek His face.
 
We encourage ALL of you to join with us as we pray for the church, pastors and missionaries around the world, the nations and our families.  You can sign-up for meals and days by filling in the calendar at the altar, contacting the church office, or email at: dryfork.assembly@ymail.com
 
Additionally, we are encouraging everyone to fast something for the entire 40 day period.  This can be dessert, coffee, meat, internet, television;  anything that is important to you.  As we do this—laying aside distractions and things of importance to us—He will speak into our lives. 
 
Now is the time to be still.  Now is the time to listen.